Ciresi's departure:
• Means that Al Franken suddenly becomes the clear favorite to win the DFL Party endorsement at the state convention in Rochester in June. Although Ciresi had lagged behind Franken in fundraising, the longtime trial lawyer was a rival with an impressive résumé and backing from a wide number of DFLers.
• Confirms what Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer already had been claiming in the wake of the first few local DFL conventions this month -- that the DFL endorsement battle essentially has become a two-person race between himself and Franken.
• Simplifies the campaign for Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and allows him to focus his strategy on Franken, whose public record and writings make him a bigger target with more political ammunition than Ciresi might have been.
Main challenges:
• Franken must now work to unite Ciresi's supporters behind his effort and try to persuade Nelson-Pallmeyer's fervent backers that he is committed to a progressive agenda.
• Nelson-Pallmeyer must work on broadening his appeal with DFLers uncertain about whether he can beat Coleman in the fall election.
• Coleman will try to persuade moderates of all stripes that he has been more independent in his positions and votes than Franken and Nelson-Pallmeyer claim.
Also running for the DFL endorsement: Dick Franson and Darryl Stanton.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
